{image1}This summer, the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee and OnMilwaukee.com are encouraging you to get out and explore our city's neighborhoods. Starting with the tens of thousands of people who work Downtown every day and using the 10,000 steps-a-day model, participants are encouraged to get half of those steps through a brisk walk at lunch or before or after work.
"The benefits of this program go beyond simply being active," says Kent Johnson, President & CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. "Walkers will get in shape and be able to better cope with stress and tension. Employers reap the rewards by way of lower health care costs and happier, more productive workers."
According to the Medical College of Wisconsin, Americans 15 years and older who engaged in regular physical activity -- at least 30 minutes of moderate or strenuous physical activity three or more times a week -- had average annual direct medical costs of $1,019 versus costs of $1,349 for those who were inactive. On a higher scale, increasing participation in regular moderate physical activity among the more than 88 million inactive Americans over the age of 15 might reduce annual national medical costs by as much as $29.2 billion in 1987 dollars -- $76.6 billion in 2000 dollars.
Studies have also shown that healthier employees positively impact companies in every respect via lower healthcare costs, lower turnover rates and reduced absenteeism, fewer medical claims, and improved productivity and employee morale. Researchers Heinzelmann and Bagley demonstrated that physical activity (through work-site fitness programs) influenced the participant's attitudes, habits, and his general self-image, greater interest in and awareness of better health, better work-performance, positive attitudes towards work, weight loss, and a greater ability to cope with stress and tension.
Want to participate in Milwaukee Moves? Just sign up at MilwaukeeMoves.org. The site, created and maintained by OnMilwaukee.com, will offer tips on getting started, staying motivated and keeping moving.
You can view maps for suggested walking routes throughout Downtown, get reminders on events, get connected to other walkers via a message board, and can track their progress on a downloadable work out log. Walking routes will encourage people to use the River Walk, visit the lakefront, and check out the Third Ward, etc. On rainy days, walkers can stay active by heading inside to the mall or using the skywalk system. Walkers can track their steps by visiting the Downtown YMCA (located on the 4th floor of the Plankinton Building, above the Shops of Grand Avenue) and picking up their free pedometer.
"This is the perfect way to get out and experience all that Milwaukee has to offer. Every day on OnMilwaukee.com, we showcase everything that's Milwaukee. Milwaukee Moves is the perfect partnership and we are proud to be working with the Y. Hey, Milwaukee, get out of your office, and get out and experience our great town! It's good for and it's good for Milwaukee!" says Jeff Sherman, co-owner and President of OnMilwaukee.com.
An inaugural walk is scheduled for Wednesday, June 1, 2005. Organized employee groups from the downtown area are expected to turn out for the first ever Milwaukee Moves walk, along with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
